November Special Section
2 | November 2023 | Appen Media
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Hope thru Soap Open House Fundraiser for at-risk youth Brought to you by - HOME Real Estate – The Kloster Group Hope thru Soap, a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, dedicated to providing Mobile Outreach services for those experiencing homelessness and poverty, is thrilled to announce an upcoming Open House fundraising event on Monday, November 20th. This special occasion will not only showcase the remarkable work being done by Hope thru Soap but will also raise critical funds to further their mission. Founded on the principle of providing hope and dignity to those in need, Hope thru Soap’s Mobile Outreach program has been a beacon of support for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Atlanta community. Their dedicated team delivers essential mobile shower services directly to
the less fortunate, making a tangible difference in their lives. In addition to their Mobile Outreach program, Hope thru Soap has initiated “Thrive by Hope,” a program with the sole mission of directly impacting the lives of at-risk young adults in the Atlanta area. This program aims to supply effective pathways and longterm solutions to empower these young individuals to thrive despite their challenging circumstances. To further extend their reach and support the Atlanta community, Hope thru Soap has also established “Miller’s Market Food Pantry,” which provides food and essential items to those in need, ensuring that no one goes hungry. The Open House event on November 20th promises to be a memorable evening, with a range of activities that will not only inform local residents about
the organization’s incredible work but also engage them in making a difference. The event will feature guest speakers who will share inspiring stories and insights into the organization’s mission. Hope thru Soap is expanding its efforts into Gwinnett & Clayton County at the end of this year. Guests can enjoy wine and appetizers while mingling with likeminded individuals who are passionate about giving back to our community. Opportunities to volunteer and support Hope thru Soap’s ongoing initiatives will also be available, allowing attendees to directly contribute to the cause. For those looking to get a head start on their holiday shopping, the event will include a holiday gift shop, where unique and thoughtful gifts will be available for purchase. All proceeds from this shop will go directly towards
supporting Hope thru Soap’s vital programs. Hope thru Soap’s Open House fundraising event on Monday, November 20th, is an opportunity for community to come together, learn about the organization’s impactful work, and contribute to a cause that makes a real difference in the lives of the less fortunate and at-risk youth. We invite all Metro-Atlanta community members, supporters, and individuals interested in making a positive impact to join us on this special evening. Together, we can provide hope, dignity, and support to those who need it the most. For more information on this the event, please visit the Hope thru Soap page on Facebook for updates. To make a donation, please visit www.hopethrusoap.org
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | November 2023 | 3
The Kloster Group contributes to charitable organizations across Atlanta with EVERY closed real estate transaction! Allison & Peter Kloster | Sam DiVito | Rachel Provow | Caroline Nalisnick
C: 4 0 4 .78 4 . 5287 | O : 4 0 4 . 3 8 3 . H O M E ( 4 6 63) | @t h e k l o ste rg ro u p Information believed accurate but not warranted. HOME Real Estate, LLC is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Broker, Betsy Franks.
4 | November 2023 | Appen Media
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
ASK APPEN What do you want to know about the community? Submit questions at appenmedia.com/ask or scan QR code.
ISTOCK
Don’t be mislead Brought to you byGeerdes & Associates
Protect Your Assets, Your Home, And Your Family In 3 Steps
Reserve Your Seat For A FREE Estate Planning Workshop • Does my Will protect my “stuff”? (It does not.) • Should I upgrade my Will to a Trust? • What do I need to know about Revocable Living Trusts? • How do Irrevocable Trusts work? Upcoming Workshops: Tues., Nov. 7th – 4pm Thurs., Nov. 9th – 11am Wed., Nov. 15th – 6pm
Tues., Nov. 21st – 4pm Thurs., Nov. 23rd – 11am Wed., Nov. 29th – 6pm
• Medicaid. What’s true and what’s not? • How do I protect my assets for my family and legacy? • How do I remain in control? • How do I avoid losing everything to nursing home costs? • How can my family avoid probate? Attend our FREE Educational Workshops. Reserve your Spot and Get a FREE Consultation for attending the Workshop (a $500 Value) CODE: herald2023
1100 Cambridge Square | Suite B | Alpharetta, GA 30009 | 770.209.2346 | esther@gklawgroup.com
When you own a property, what may naturally come to mind is how to protect that property after your death. You may do this by GEERDES adding the right of survivorship language to the deed or even transferring ownership to a child. However, one of the best ways to protect your property for future generations is to put it in a trust so why don’t people do this? That’s mostly because of two common misconceptions: Misconception 1: I don’t need a T rust because I have joint ownership. Many people add their spouses or children on the property with right of survivorship language, which allows the spouse and children to automatically inherit when the original owner passes away. However, by jointly titling your property, you forgo important tax planning opportunities during your life, potentially resulting in a higher tax bill after you pass. In addition, if you make a child a joint owner with the right of survivorship, this can be considered a taxable gift to your child, who may end up having to file a gift tax return.
The right of survivorship language is only a temporary protection levied on the property. Once all owners pass away, the property will still have to face tax bills and the lengthy, costly probate court. Misconception 2: The property is under a mortgage, so I can’t put it in a trust. If you have a mortgage on your property, you may worry that transferring the property into a trust will violate the loan. This is false if you plan on transferring the property into a revocable trust. When you transfer property into a revocable trust, you are not selling the property and therefore you are not violating your loan (Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982). This is different for irrevocable trusts, where you should not put the property in until the mortgage is fully paid off. The trust is ultimately one of the best ways to protect your real estate. However, every family situation is different, and that’s why you should make sure you’re fully informed on all possible solutions. We recommend getting second opinions and reaching out to local estate planning attorneys to ensure you know all the correct laws and methods to protect your property. Finally, it’s never too early to secure your real estate, so make sure that you set up an estate plan as soon as you feel ready.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | November 2023 | 5
Three energy-efficient smart home upgrades for fall Brought to you by – Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty It’s no secret that keeping your Bill Rawlings home warm and Sherri Conrad and well-lit during the fall season means higher energy costs. According to SaveOnEnergy.com®, utility bills rose significantly between 2021 and 2022 (about 16 percent for U.S. homeowners), a trend that makes the transition to winter the perfect time to initiate a home energy audit. Here are three ways to prime your home to fend off inefficiencies ahead of the colder months 1. Install a smart thermostat for precise temperature control. Smart thermostats work their magic through features like personalized scheduling, geofencing technology and adaptive learning, ensuring efficient heating and cooling. They seamlessly integrate with some of the most popular smart-home voice assistants, such as Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung SmartThings, Logitech Harmony or Wink. Remember to verify compatibility with your existing smart home system before purchasing, and keep in mind that installation often involves extra power requirements and the establishment of wireless communication with other smart devices in your home. Unless you have a strong background in electrical work, we recommend leaving the installation to a professional rather than attempting it as a DIY project. 2. Add smart lighting and automation to reduce energy consumption. Intelligent lighting solutions are key to enhancing efficiency and convenience. One of the easiest and most effective ways to save money is to switch out incandescent light bulbs for smart bulbs, which consume less energy and boast a longer lifespan. If you prefer a more integrated solution, smart in-wall light switches are a fantastic option.
PEXELS
Finally, smart plugs that offer on/ off scheduling functions provide a cost-effective solution for controlling everything from lamps to holiday lights. 3. Incorporate energy-efficient appliances. While the upfront cost of energyefficient appliances is substantial, this investment can translate to significant long-term savings on your electricity bills. Moreover, many governments provide rebates and incentives that can help alleviate the initial financial burden. The top three energy hogs (read, the ones you probably want to replace) tend to be refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers. Look for the energy efficiency ratings provided on the appliances themselves or consult online resources that offer comprehensive energy efficiency data. Selecting the right energy-efficient solutions can result in significant savings and a more comfortable, eco-conscious lifestyle. If you need assistance renovating your home or have any other real estate needs, please contact Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty at 770.442.7300. We would be happy to assist you! Compiled and edited by Angela Valente, Marketing Copywriter/ Copyeditor
Nothing compares to what’s next. Scan to view this month’s collection of featured properties exclusively represented by our firm.
atlantafinehomes.com sothebysrealty.com Atlanta Fine Homes, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 400, Alpharetta, Georgia 30009. 770.442.7300.
6 | November 2023 | Appen Media
150 SHERWOOD LANE
CANTON, GA 30115 | $1,800,000 Todd Kroupa | 770.910.4860
615 REGENCY FOREST COURT
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
2905 MANOR BRIDGE DRIVE MILTON, GA 30004 | $2,999,000 Susan Feddersen | 773.710.4709
9000 EMERSON PLACE
ATLANTA, GA 30342 | $1,525,000 Anne Cintron | 404.483.7623
MILTON, GA 30004 | $1,589,000 Karen Neibert | 770.653.6601
3710 SCHOONER RIDGE
0 HUNTER RIDGE TRAIL - 66 ACRES
ALPHARETTA, GA 30005 | $2,475,000 Amy Lynn | 678.488.1540
CLAYTON, GA 30525 | $1,313,800 Dan Woodley | 404.456.8313
MARY WARGULA
Senior Vice President & Brokerage Offices Regional Manager
770.475.0505 | Mary.Wargula@BHHSGeorgia.com 33 South Main Street | Suite 201 Alpharetta, GA 30009
9690 ALMAVIVA DRIVE
JOHNS CREEK, GA 30022 | $3,350,000 Tommy Nguyen | 678.640.7568
325 CREEK POINT
ALPHARETTA, GA 30004 | $1,400,000 Allison Katula | 262.442.0474
905 DUNSTER COURT
ALPHARETTA, GA 30009 | $1,375,000 The Butler Swayne Team | 770.241.9165
“Berkshire Hathaway is who we are! HomeServices is what we provide! Georgia Properties is where we do it!”
©2023 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | November 2023 | 7
Canton/Milton | Resort Living
North Forsyth | 3 Homes Under Construction
Soleil Belmont Park | Active Adult
Fireside Farms
$500’s | 770.635.4080
High $600’s | 678.578.6819
Patrick Malloy Communities
David Patterson Homes
Buy from One of Atlanta’s Award-Winning Builders Lake Lanier | 1 Home Ready for Move-In
Roswell | 1 Home Ready for Move-In
Long Hollow Landing
Hillandale
High $700’s - $1M+ | 678.578.6833
From $1M+ | 770.254.5372
David Patterson Homes
Patrick Malloy Communities
Lori Lane | President New Homes Division, Senior VP of Luxury & Global
Proud to work with some of the most respected builders in Atlanta Milton | Village and Estate Homes
Crossroads at Birmingham From the $800’s - $1M+ | 678.578.6782
Southwyck Homes TO V I E W M O R E , V I S I T B H H S G A N E W H O M E S .CO M
f ol l ow L o ri @ t h e _ l o r i l a n e
Milton | 4-10 Acre Homesites
The Homestead at Milton $4M - $11M+ | 678.578.6740
Vision Development
©2023 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information presented is deemed reliable, but is not warranted. If your property is currently listed, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit properties that are already represented by another broker. Equal Housing Opportunity.
8 | November 2023 | Appen Media
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
PROVIDED
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division Shines again at 43rd OBIE Awards Brought to you by- Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association hosted the 43rd annual Professionalism (OBIE) Awards Saturday, October 21st at the Georgia Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties’ New Homes Division, led by President Lori Lane, and their builder clients took home an astounding 30 gold and silver awards. With over 100 different categories, the OBIE awards celebrate outstanding achievements in homebuilding and highlight those in the homebuilding industry for excellence in building, marketing, and personal achievement. This year Berkshire Hathaway’s New
Homes Division was honored to receive the gold award for Best Website, Best Online Banner ad, Best Email Marketing Message, Best Newspaper Ad, and Best Print New Homes Publication to name a few. In addition to winning numerous marketing accolades, Berkshire Hathaway’s builder clients Trilith Development, Patrick Malloy Communities, JW Collection, McKinney Builders, Loudermilk Homes, Vision Development Partners, and David Patterson Homes all received top honors. Lori Lane has earned her reputation as a powerhouse in the new construction industry. Alongside her dedicated team, she has crafted innovative strategies for the marketing and sale of new construction, resulting in the accumulation of numerous industry awards.
As a testament to their unwavering determination and tireless efforts, the New Homes Division also continues to deliver outstanding sales results. For the past 12 months, the New Homes Division has consistently held the position of the #1 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices office in the region. It also earned a prestigious spot as one of the top 30 offices across the entire Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices global network. Lori Lane, the President of the New Homes Division at BHHS Georgia Properties and Senior Vice President of Luxury and Global, attributes this success to the team’s unwavering commitment. She emphasizes, “Success is about hard work and determination, and you have to pour yourself into it every day.” Lane expresses her deep
gratitude for the opportunity to work with builder and developer clients she respects and enjoys. Lane and her New Homes Division are redefining the landscape of new home and luxury real estate sales and marketing in Atlanta. Their continuous contributions are leaving a lasting impact on the city’s real estate industry. The success of the New Homes Division reflects the resilience and commitment of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties as a whole. Despite the challenges posed by the real estate market, this division’s unwavering dedication to excellence in sales, marketing, and client relationships has propelled it to the top ranks of the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices regional and global network.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | November 2023 | 9
Alpharetta & Roswell’s #1 Kitchen & Bathroom Remodeler FREE IN-HOME DESIGN CONSULTATION
There’s no stopping Bath & Kitchen Galleria Brought to you by – Bath & Kitchen Galleria After nearly a decade in Roswell, Bath and Kitchen Galleria has moved to a larger 10,000 SF showroom in Alpharetta. Owners, Bobbie Kohm and John Hogan, have expanded their business by tripling the size of the showroom to keep up with the amazing growth of the company. “North Atlanta has thousands of homes built in the 90’s and 2000’s and homeowners need a way to remodel their homes. They need a company that offers design assistance, has a large showroom, provides installation services, and does it all cost effectively, too”, says co-owner Bobbie Kohm, “…and that’s what we do.” Bath & Kitchen Galleria, (formerly Remodeling Expo) has grown by more than 400% since 2018 and the company attributes this to one simple best practice, “listening to the customer”. Customers want cost effectiveness, projects completed on-time, and they demand quality design assistance. “So, we responded with exactly that”, says co-owner John Hogan, “in short, we’ve brought service excellence to an industry that is known for low service standards.
We’ve changed this and now we perform over 300 projects each year.” Bath & Kitchen Galleria recently moved from Roswell to Alpharetta where they found a huge new showroom to show their amazing versatility: cost effective to fully custom bathrooms and kitchens, from $10,000 to $250,000, styles from farmhouse to traditional to transitional, project scopes from partial room update to fully rebuilt rooms. They have cabinetry, tiles, plumbing fixtures, countertops, shower glass, knobs and pulls, lighted mirrors, accessories and most importantly, remodeling consultants to help you. “We take the anxiety and pressure out of the process and make it fun” says Bobbie, “and that’s how it should be.” John and Bobbie have built a great business that provides personal attention to every customer; because every home is different, and every homeowner is different. “I wish we could say that we have some secret widget; but our competitive advantage is pure “service excellence”. Bath and Kitchen Galleria (BathAndKitchenGalleria.com) is located at 10591 Old Alabama Rd Connector in Alpharetta. 770-765- 6000. Open Weekdays and Saturday.
Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Re-imagined
Remodeling Design and Installation Services
BathAndKitchenGalleria.com 10591 Old Alabama Connector Rd. 10591 Old Alabama Connector Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30022 Alpharetta, GA 30022
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
10 | November 2023 | Appen Media
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR DUNWOODY-SANDY SPRINGS TOP PRODUCERS
#1 Jodi Halpert
#2 Joe Illescas
#6 Michelle Moore
#7 Claudia Huff
#3 Jodi Mekyten
#4 Kerry Arias
#5 Kristina Blass
#8 Mary Ellen Harris #9 Karen Meagher #10 Susan Kaplan
VALERIE LEVIN
Senior Vice President, Managing Broker Midtown | Dunwoody & Sandy Springs
D. 770.238.7719 | O. 770.393.3200 E: Valerie.Levin@bhhsgeorgia.com www.Dunwoody.bhhsgeorgia.com
#1 TEAM The Whitney Agee Team
D u n w o o d y
|
S a n d y
S p r i n g s
O f f i c e
•
7 7 0 . 3 9 3 . 3 2 0 0
|
©2023 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berks
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
Appen Media | November 2023 | 11
Local Experts. Outstanding Results.
2960 COLES WAY SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30350 | $950,000 Jodi Mekyten | 770.374.4500
5 4 8 1
2244 OLD BROOKE LANE DUNWOODY, GA 30338 | $849,900
3286 NORTHSIDE PARKWAY NW #607 ATLANTA, GA 30327 | $950,000 Jodi Halpert | 404.513.5151
Mary Ellen Harris | 770.656.0768
4131 BRITTS GATE LANE TUCKER, GA 30084 | $569,000
178 BARONE PL NW ATLANTA, GA 30327 | $415,000
Whitney Agee Team | 470.345.1668
Kristina Blass | 404.414.9944
2080 BENCAL DR SE ATLANTA, GA 30316 | $450,000
2198 MILLGATE LANE BUFORD, GA 30519 | $345,000
1250 PARKWOOD CIR SE #3301 ATLANTA, GA 30339 | $305,000
Kristina Blass | 404.414.9944
Alicia Lee | 770.827.9300
C h a m b l e e
D u n w o o d y
R o a d ,
D u n w o o d y ,
Amy Ilardi | 678.886.9761
2285 PEACHTREE RD NE #503 ATLANTA, GA 30309 | $185,000 Tom Sheeran | 404.307.5538
G A
3 0 3 3 8
shire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.
REAL ESTATE REPORT • Sponsored Section
12 | November 2023 | Appen Media
ALPHARETTA-ROSWELL HERALD | FORSYTH HERALD | JOHNS CREEK HERALD | MILTON HERALD DUNWOODY CRIER | SANDY SPRINGS CRIER Serving Metro Atlanta Since 1977 | Hello@AppenMedia.com | 770.442.3278
Delivering Readers Award-Winning Newspapers 2023 Georgia Press Association 1st Place – News Photograph 1st Place – Feature Writing 1st Place – Business Writing 1st Place – Serious Column 1st Place – Food Ad 1st Place – Newspaper Promotion Ad 1st Place – Classifieds Section/page
2nd Place – Page One 2nd Place – Lifestyle Coverage 2nd Place – News Photograph 2nd Place – Local News Coverage 2nd Place – Business Writing 2nd Place – Lifestyle/Feature Column 2nd Place – Food Ad 2nd Place – Newspaper Promotion
2nd Place – Signature Page 2nd Place – General Excellence 3rd Place – Page One 3rd Place – Lifestyle Coverage 3rd Place – Feature Writing 3rd Place – Breaking News Writing 3rd Place – Local News Coverage 3rd Place – Serious Column
3rd Place – Humorous Column 2023 Association of Community Publishers 1st Place – Feature Article Layout 1st Place – Self Promotion Classifieds 2nd Place – Educational Column 2nd Place – Entertaining Column 2nd Place – Self Promotion Own Publication